As reported by intern Melissa Doherty
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| Protestors on the steps of the NYPL |
Yesterday, a rally was held at the 42nd street New York Public Library in protest of the Central Library Plan (CLP), during a meeting of the library’s trustees. This plan, proposed by architect Norman Foster, claims to be restoring one of Manhattan’s most beloved landmarks, when, in actuality, it is endangering the architectural integrity of Carrère and Hastings’ original and irreplaceable Beaux-Arts design.
Costing at least $350,000,000, of which $150,000,000 will come from New York City taxpayers, this plan intends to demolish the historic book stacks and install a new circulating library. In addition, it threatens to relocate 1.5 million books to remote storage in New Jersey.
There was a strong turnout of exuberant and enthusiastic individuals who truly believed in the cause. They received countless petition signatures from passersby, showing the evident public concern for the well-being of the library. Even in the rain, on the steps of the NYPL, protestors held their signs high, some of them reading “$350,000,000 to gut this historic library while branch libraries are closing,” “No, No, Norman,” and “Your library destroyed with no public input.” Whistles were blown and chanting ensued as the trustees left the meeting, in which the CLP was conferred. Protestors stood side-by-side with the library’s marble lions, “Patience” and “Fortitude,” fighting to save this monumental piece of New York City’s history.